Argentina and Ecuador will square off for the remaining medal after being ruled out of the final of the Juegos Suramericanos
A thundering win over Ecuador granted Brazil the right to defend their title in the Juegos Suramericanos. In this new episode in Vargas (Venezuela), the verdeamarela will have to take on Paraguay in the fight for the gold, after the Guaranís edged Argentina in the semifinals.
Ecuador came to the duel against Brazil with huge hopes of upsetting the favourites and getting into the final for the first time. But their dream did not last long. Despite Cevallos cut the distance to 2-1 after two hits by Datinha for Brazil, a 3-0 run would fairly unbalance the fight at the beginning of the second leg. The Ecuadorians did not want to give up, and tried to stand on their feet no matter the Brazilian powder, and even managed to slap back a couple of times. But as minutes were passing by, the game fell more and more on Brazilian hands, and the uncontestable final 10-3 gave Negão’s side a new ticket to the final.
In the other semifinal, CONMEBOL defending kings were closed the doors to the final by already-not-that-surprising Paraguay. The Paraguayans have been performing greatly in the last years, and keep beating landmarks season after season. After beating Brazil in the last continental qualifier to secure a ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013, a new success is to be added to the Guaraní records, with a narrow win over the Albiceleste that merits them, at least, the silver bronze in the III Juegos Suramericanos de Playa.
The opener by Franceschini did not cause any trace of doubt in Paraguay’s souls, and the red-and-white worked their way to the final turning that score around and adding three goals to make it 3-1. Argentina found no ways to get hold of the game again, and only a late hit by Legizamon cut the distance with just 8 seconds remaining.
In the other games of the day, corresponding to the fight for the 5th place, Colombia surprised Uruguay with a tight 1-2, and hosts Venezuala got rid of Peru with an impressive performance and a wide 7-2 win.
